New Delhi, February 06, 2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed a comprehensive briefing of 1,444 central observers to be deployed for the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, reinforcing its focus on ensuring free, fair, and transparent polls.
The briefing sessions were conducted at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) over two days — February 5 and 6, 2026 — in three phases. A total of 714 General Observers, 233 Police Observers, and 497 Expenditure Observers participated in the programme.
Observers were trained on multiple critical aspects of election management, including electoral roll preparation, poll conduct, expenditure monitoring, information technology systems, and media coordination. They were also briefed on the functioning and safeguards of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to ensure smooth and transparent election operations.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, addressed the final batch of observers on the concluding day and interacted with them during a dedicated doubt-resolution session.
The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized that elections in India are conducted strictly in accordance with electoral laws and ECI guidelines, warning that there is no room for deviation. He highlighted that, in addition to reforms introduced over the past year, new measures are being implemented for the upcoming Assembly elections and urged observers to uphold the highest standards of integrity to ensure impartial and transparent polls.
Election Commissioner Dr. S.S. Sandhu underscored that central observers carry significant responsibility as representatives of the Commission in the field. He called upon them to maintain the highest standards of conduct and ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders.
